ASK Genre TV

Trick Questions — Episode 12

Trick is probably the most mysterious character on Lost Girl, which is saying a lot because so many of the characters keep their cards pretty close to the vest. But we all know how much Trick likes his vests. Stephanie and Annie are joined by Sally (@sheaven) to try to puzzle out some of the many unanswered questions surrounding Trick.

Drink Special: Bloody Beer

Mix together tomato juice, lime juice, Tabasco sauce, Worcestershire sauce, pinch of salt (to taste), and red pepper flakes. Pour over ice into a salt-rimmed Old Fashioned glass and finish off with beer. (A Mexican beer, such as Corona or Modelo, is recommended, but any pale lager beer will do.) Garnish with a slice of lime.

What's in a name?

Trick's full name is Fitzpatrick McCorrigan. “Fitzpatrick” could mean “son of Patrick.”

The prefix “Fitz” was also applied to illegitimate sons of kings. Could Trick have been the illegitimate son of a ruler?

Why “Trick” as a nickname? It has a fun or playful connotation, but it also can imply a darker deception.

The Blood Sage

What were some times over those many centuries when Trick has been tempted to write in his blood? Was he tempted to use them to save his wife Isabeau?

What were some of the other consequences of his writing in his blood?

How did Trick intervene in LouAnn's execution? Was this intervention mystical, scientific, or political?

Lost Girl writers base the Fae on real mythology, but we couldn't find anything on blood sages. Is it derived from pagan practices?

The Blood King

How did Trick become the Blood King? Was it a birthright? A coup?

It seems likely that he inherited the throne, as he doesn't seem like the usurping type.

Is Trick a selfless leader who sacrificed for the greater good, or is he just heartless?

The stag hunt seems particularly cruel, and The Ash and The Morrigan seem able to mete our punishment as they see fit. Why not establish a fairer system of justice?

In the flashbacks to the Fae War, Trick seems arrogant and secretive.

In season three, Trick coaches Hale in making hard — some might say harsh — decisions in the name of the greater good.

What did Trick do between leaving the throne and becoming keeper of the way station?

Trick's Relationships with Others

Trick and Aife

What exactly happened between Trick and Aife?

Trick seems to know a lot about Bo's birth, so it seems likely that he knew what was happening to Aife.

Did he help Aife escape?

Trick and Bo

Bo is a game-changer, especially for Trick. She's a rule-breaker, and he's a rule-follower (and writer).

Why was Trick so secretive about his relationship with Bo?

Would Trick sacrifice Bo if he thought it necessary?

Trick and Dyson

What is their backstory? They've been shown to be very close and loyal to one another.

Why was Trick initially so against Dyson getting involved with Bo? Was he being protective of Dyson? Was he being protective of Bo?

Trick and Humans

What does Trick really think of humans?

He seems very fond of Kenzi and seems to appreciate Lauren. That said, he also expresses the Fae's default disdain for humans.

However, he has witnessed two-thousand years of human history (and cruelty).

Doesn’t think a whole lot of humans, beyond a kind of old fashioned Colonial Chauvinist “Oh don’t be cruel to them Edgar, it’s not their fault they’re humans” kind of way.

Never accepts a burden of guilt for the fallout of his choices – Bo may not live in a constant hairshirt, but the burden of the damage she’s done manifests itself in her massively heightened sense of empathy and deep insecurities about her place in the world.

Did everything he could to keep Bo from the one thing she was desperate for, knowledge of her family origins – until it suited his purposes.

Created the Dark/Light dichotomy that Bo hates so much. And finally, the biggie –

Did so by suspending everybody’s free will – their capacity to choose – to suit himself. Stepping back as blood king didn’t mean his powertripping was over; it simply wasn’t necessary to take further action to sustain it. After all, everything was going as it should – i.e. as he wanted it.

Why We Love Rick Howland

He plays the tension between Trick as kindly barkeep/grandfather and manipulator with unclear intentions very well. (Clearly, he certainly keeps us guessing!) He has a great range as an actor.

He gives Trick a dangerous edge, especially through the physicality he brings to the role.

Rick Howland seems to get a lot of joy from his career and from his life, and he brings that zest for living to his portrayal of Trick.